Homework Policy
Guidelines
Research
PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW scan
MAY 2012
W W W. S C H O O L S . N S W. E D U . A U
Contents
Introduction
Policy requirements
Research
Homework Policy considerations
Age-specific considerations
Responsibilities
Suggested process
Suggested structure for a Homework Policy
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Introduction
The Homework Policy Guidelines contains information for schools that would like to review, update or
newly develop a Homework Policy.
These guidelines are not prescriptive and schools may choose to follow their own processes to meet the
requirements of the NSW Department of Education and Communities’ Homework Policy.
For the purposes of the department’s Homework Policy, homework is defined as any task assigned by
school teachers intended for students to carry out during non-school hours designed to meet specific
learning goals.
Students will also participate in a range of activities and have diverse experiences outside of school hours
that may enhance their learning. Experiences and activities at home that help to create a rich learning
environment for children are to be encouraged. They should not, however, be considered as homework
unless they are assigned by the child’s teacher.
Policy requirements
The NSW Department of Education and Communities’ policy website specifies that each school is to
develop a Homework Policy. A school’s Homework Policy should be:
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relevant to the needs of students
developed in consultation with key school community stakeholders including teachers, parents/
caregivers and students.
communicated to staff, students, parents/caregivers, particularly at the time of student enrolment.
In developing their Homework Policy, schools should be aware that while the Policy itself is compulsory,
the setting of homework and any indicative time allocations across year levels are not.
This approach to Homework Policy is in line with a number of factors:
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community expectations about homework are variable
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research regarding the value of homework is inconclusive
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schools are best placed to make decisions about homework in consultation with their communities.
Research
A Homework Policy: Research scan was undertaken by the NSW Department of Education and
Communities in 2012.
The Homework Policy: Research scan summarises the benefits and the drawbacks of homework,
considers strategies to maximise the benefits, and examines in detail whether time spent on homework
results in improved student achievement. The roles of parent involvement and socioeconomic status are
also considered.
There is little consensus in the literature as to whether homework raises student achievement. Most
researchers, however, conclude that for primary students, there is no evidence that homework lifts
academic performance.
Any revision or development of a Homework Policy should be read in conjunction with the latest
research on homework.
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Homework Policy considerations
Quality
Research indicates that student learning may be enhanced if homework is:
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appropriate for each student’s age and ability
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relevant to each student’s needs
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purposeful and designed to meet specific learning goals
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varied and challenging, but achievable
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built on knowledge, skills and understanding developed in class
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clearly stated and requirements made explicit during class time
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supported by teacher strategies for students having difficulties with homework.
Homework tasks should be assigned by teachers with a specific, explicit learning purpose. On
completion, teachers should acknowledge student effort and provide feedback related to student
learning.
Manageability
The quantity of homework needs to be manageable so that teachers can ensure quality, and can provide
feedback to students on completion.
Homework that is manageable for students will:
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be age appropriate
consider students’ outside of school hours commitments, such as sport, cultural activities, tuition, parttime employment and home responsibilities
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take into account students’ access to resources and technology beyond school
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be clearly communicated to students
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provide some flexibility and options to allow for different student circumstances.
Secondary schools need to consider mechanisms to plan and monitor the amount of homework given to
students across all subjects.
Communication
Communication and the provision of clear information between teachers, parents/caregivers and
students is a requirement of an effective school Homework Policy. In developing a policy, the school
community needs to determine what communication approaches and processes will be most effective
for parents/caregivers, students and teachers.
The school’s Homework Policy should be made available to the school community, particularly at the
time of enrolment.
Parents/caregivers of students experiencing difficulties completing homework need to be confident that
these concerns can be discussed with the teacher, and that guidance and assistance will be provided.
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Age-specific considerations
Primary schools
While there is little conclusive evidence of the learning benefits of homework in infants and primary
schools, quality homework in these stages may help students to develop effective study habits and
broaden their understandings and skills across the curriculum.
Homework for Kindergarten-Year 2
In general, students are not expected to complete formal homework in Kindergarten. Students may be
given books to read at home, as appropriate.
In Years 1 and 2 some formal homework may be set. For example, students might be asked to read and
write, learn words for spelling and complete some mathematical activities.
Homework for Years 3-6
Homework in Years 3-6 may be varied and students may be expected to work more independently.
Students could be encouraged to read and practise mathematical concepts learnt at school. Other
homework may also be set across areas of the curriculum.
Secondary schools
In secondary school there is more evidence, especially in senior years, that homework can enhance
student learning. Effective homework in secondary schools may help students to develop and broaden
their understanding and skills across new and familiar curriculum areas.
Secondary schools must establish mechanisms to monitor the amount of homework across all subjects
to ensure that students’ workloads are manageable.
Homework for Years 7-8
In Years 7-8, homework may be set across the curriculum. Homework may include regular tasks,
assignments that require investigation and preparation for examinations.
Schools can support students to develop time management skills, guide them to become more
independent learners and ensure their workloads are manageable. This is particularly important for those
Year 7 students who are transitioning to high school.
Homework for Years 9-10
In Years 9-10, homework may be set on a regular basis across the curriculum. Homework might include
practice that complements work learnt in class, assignments, as well as preparing for assessment tasks
and studying for exams.
Schools may continue supporting students to develop their time management skills and encourage
independent work.
Homework for Years 11-12
In Years 11-12, homework will be expected to be completed independently. Homework may be set in all
subjects, and students may be required to prepare for assessment tasks and study for exams.
Times will vary according to learning needs and individual programs of learning.
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Responsibilities
Principals:
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Develop a Homework Policy, in consultation with their school community
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Communicate the Homework Policy to staff students, parents/caregivers
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Monitor and support teachers in the implementation of the Homework Policy
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Ensure that homework is consistent with the school’s learning goals
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Support the need for balance between homework and the many other commitments in students’ lives
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Provide mechanisms for teachers and parents/caregivers to communicate about homework
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Recognise that some parents/caregivers may not agree with the school policy on homework. This may
necessitate the development of alternative strategies.
Teachers:
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Implement the school’s Homework Policy
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Communicate the purpose, benefits and expectations of homework to students and parents/caregivers
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW
Acknowledge student effort in completing homework and provide timely and relevant feedback on
achievement
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Ensure resources and materials are easily accessible for students
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Support students having difficulties with homework
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Discuss with students and parents/caregivers any developing issues regarding a student’s homework
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Discuss homework practices with colleagues.
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Suggested process
Schools in consultation with their communities should determine whether a review of an existing
Homework Policy is necessary or if a new Homework Policy needs to be developed. If there has not
been a recent review, then the following would be a suggested approach.
Action
Resources
Step 1
Form a Homework Policy Committee
Representation from executive, staff,
parents/caregivers (P&C) and, if
appropriate, students
Step 2
Survey attitudes of parent/caregivers and
students with regard to homework
The NSW Department of Education and
Communities’ Educational Measurement
and Accountability Directorate (EMSAD)
has surveys about homework:
Develop own survey instrument or use all
or part of existing survey tools
https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/
directorates/schoimpro/EMD/surveys.htm
Interpret the data
EMSAD can assist schools in interpreting
the data for these online surveys.
Step 3
Hold a school staff meeting, P&C
meeting, parents/caregivers/students’
forum after the results of the surveys
have been analysed
PowerPoint presentation <Homework
Policy: Consultation>
Insert relevant details into the PowerPoint
provided
Equipment: Computer, projector, Activity
sheets
Appropriate venue
Pre-reading materials The Homework
Policy: Research Scan, the department’s
Homework Policy and the school’s current
Homework Policy, if applicable
Step 4
Develop a draft Homework Policy
School’s Homework Policy Committee
Completed Activity sheets from Step 3
Step 5
Circulate the draft Homework Policy for
final comment by the school community
Draft Homework Policy
Feedback form
Step 6
Develop the final version of the
Homework Policy for dissemination
School’s Homework Policy Committee
Feedback from draft Policy review process
Step 7
PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW
Communicate the Homework Policy to the
school community
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Homework Policy document and
accompanying letter
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Homework Policy: Guidelines
Suggested structure for a Homework Policy
Rationale
Why is this policy being written? What does this school and its community believe about the importance
of homework? This section may also contain some background information about the school, about the
educational benefits of homework or other factors relating to the policy.
Policy statement
A brief one to two sentences about what the policy hopes to achieve.
Implementation
This section describes how the policy will be achieved including what constitutes homework in the
context of this school (general description), responsibilities-school, teachers, parents/caregivers, students
and stage or subject requirements (specific descriptions and suggested time allocations, if appropriate).
Monitoring, evaluation and review
Outline when and how the Policy will be monitored, evaluated and reviewed.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW
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GPO Box33
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia
T 9561 8000
www.schools.nsw.edu.au
© May 2012
NSW Department of Education and Communities